Progesterone support for Natural FET

[Hk12]

I recently had FET and was told that my progesterone level was very good at 52.4 (clinic is usually happy with above 30). When I asked the consultant whether I need progestrone support, she said it’s entirely upto me, I don’t need it but it doesn’t do any harm so they gave me the prescription. So I started taking 1 cyclogest pessary every day but just read from somewhere that one clinic wouldn’t allow progesterone support for natural FET as it can do more harm than good when progestrone level is already good..so now I am panicking! Does anyone know what will be the impact on implantation if progesterone level is suddenly increased with Cyclogest? Any ladies who did natural FET with progesterone support?

[Ladypii]

Hello.

I had a natural FET. My progesterone was 71 on the day of transfer. I continued using progesterone pessaries (2 a day) until I was 12 weeks, This is the standard with my clinic (I’m with the Lister) So far it doesn’t seem to have done me any harm. My sister who also has had IVF had progesterone pessaries for both of her ivf babies until 12 weeks also xx

[Hk12 in reply to Ladypii]

Thank you so much for your response, you made me feel so much better! I read somewhere that high progestrone is fine (no upper threshold) and it’s only a problem when it’s low.. then I read from another place that high progesterone is not great as it can thicken your lining too much when you need optimum thickness for transfer! So I been worried but feeling better after your response When did you start taking the pessaries please? I started from the day of transfer. They checked my progesterone level a day before transfer but not on the transfer day.

[Ladypii in reply to Hk12]

I had read the same also, in fact it was only because so many ladies on here had advised that their progesterone was low on previous transfers that they believed those transfers didn’t work and then they had themselves tested or had extra progesterone support it was the cycle that worked. So I decided not to take any chances and asked for mine to be tested as it’s not standard for my clinic to test they just give you pessaries regardless.

I started my progesterone pessaries 5 days before transfer (again I think that’s standard with my clinic).

From what I have read and understand high progesterone is only a problem prior to transfer, once implantation occurs the higher the progesterone the better I think.

Best of luck to you, I’m sending all positive thoughts your way Xxxx

[Hk12 in reply to Ladypii]

Thank you so much for your response! Exactly same here, only asked my doctor about progestrone as I read about it here.. hope it works this time!! And congratulations on your BFP! Hope it all goes well❤️❤️

[Facingreality in reply to Hk12]

Hello Hk12. I hope things worked out for you successfully.

How soon after the transfer did you start the pessaries? Immediately after, or hours later?

[Hk12 in reply to Facingreality]

Hi Facingreality, I’ve now entered 30th week. I started the progesterone support from the evening of the day I transferred.. my consultant was of the opinion that I don’t need one but doing 1 pessary per day won’t do any harm too, so was happy to prescribe it for me.

[Facingreality in reply to Hk12]

Excellent! Congratulations!! 🎊🎉🎊

[xtinar2010 in reply to Ladypii]

Hello! This will be my 5th IVF cycle, but 1st Natural FET. I have one day 6 frozen blastocyst. My fertility center has ordered ovidrel (as a back up, but I have regular cycles and have detected ovulation at home with OPK's). They also want me on crinone (as that is what they do standard). They are also planning to do my day 6 blastocyst transfer on day 5. Is this normal and or smart? I can't find anyone who has had a transfer on day 5 with a day 6 frozen blastocyst.... this is my last shot.

[Ladypii in reply to xtinar2010]

Hello, great news on starting the Fet and wishing you all the luck!

From my research and understanding, a 6 day embryo on day 5 is very normal. Mine was a 6 day embryo, i think i just called it a day 5 but in reality it was frozen on day 6.

The uterus wont wait for the embryo but the embryo will wait for the uterus. That is why putting it back on day 5 is fine. A day 6 embryo, naturally at that point would have been in that environment already and would be looking to start its implant process. So from what I understand putting it in on day 5 is correct and the normal procedure so that the implantation window is not lost xxx

[xtinar2010 in reply to Ladypii]

Thank you so much for your response! This puts my mind at ease quite a bit in that regard. I had my frozen transfer on Tuesday, 12/22/2020. It survived the thaw very well. However, it was compacted when it was transferred (meaning it did not re-expand before the transfer). My doctor said it should re-expand afterwards. Do you happen to have any insight on this subject as well? Thank you in advance. 🙏💕

[Hidden in reply to xtinar2010]

Hello, I am about to do a natural FET with a day 6 frozen blastocyst and am worried about 6 day blastocysts. I hope yours went ok and your last shot was the best one x

[Snez84]

Exactly the same as Ladypii here. I had a natural FET and continued with lubion (once a day) and utrogestan (twice a day) until I was around 11 weeks when I weaned myself of it. My little one is just over one now so no harm was done. I’ve only ever read that low progesterone can cause issues so I’m sure everything will be just fine.

Wishing you all the best with your cycle 🤞🏼xx

[Hk12 in reply to Snez84]

Thank you so much!!! It’s really reassuring ❤️ I don’t know why my clinic didn’t ask me to take progesterone earlier but hopefully at least taking it from transfer day would have helped!!!

[Jols in reply to Snez84]

Hi Snez, how were you spacing the 2xpessaries and 1xlubion in a day? Thanks and congrats!

[Maryc32]

Hiya! I had a natural transfer yesterday and I wasn’t given progesterone support, in fact they didn’t even test it. I’m sweating about that thinking maybe I should have it xx

[Hk12 in reply to Maryc32]

Hello!! I’ve done it on Friday so we are in the same 2ww!!!! I’ve only asked for it because some ladies seem to have had progestrone support but same, my clinic wouldn’t normally test it. Also, my test result says I had high progesterone level anyway so they said support was not necessary. So maybe it’s ok if that’s my clinic’s usual procedure? I never had early bleeding in my first FET so maybe my progesterone level was not an issue but I just wanted to try it in case.. hope it all goes well with you!!

[Maryc32 in reply to Hk12]

I’ve not had mine tested for about two years (that was normal) but I’m guess if you have regular cycles it’s probably ok? I hope so anyway. Good luck to you too! Xx

[Hk12 in reply to Maryc32]

Yes, I think it’s ok because I have regular cycles and as expected, didn’t have an issue when tested! I requested it just in case and clinic didn’t mind (as I paid extra for it anyway). Good luck!!!!

[Facingreality in reply to Maryc32]

Hello Maryc32. I hope things worked out for you!

I wonder why your clinic did not test. Possibly because the evidence for progesterone support in natural cycles is debatable?

[Florencehill]

Hi Hk12, as far as I understand you cant have too much progesterone, your body will take what it needs. Wishing you the best of luck, sounds like youre off to a good start. X

[Hk12 in reply to Florencehill]

Thank you so much, your response means a lot to me. Feeling relieved!!!!

[Meghan_b]

My clinic didn’t test the progesterone level. I have been prescribed pessaries, tablets and injection once in 5 days. That seems to be lot more to me. I got the BFP and continuing it. So, just following the prescription. I was wondering while looking at the posts on progesterone level check that my clinic didn’t do it.

[Hk12 in reply to Meghan_b]

Thanks! I called my clinic and they said that there is no upper limit for progesterone so I shouldn’t worry about potentially having too much progesterone!

[Meghan_b in reply to Hk12]

Ohh..i was thinking of the same reason when my clinic prescribed it. Thank you for the update 😄

[Bluebellebunny]

Hi, What unit of measure is your 52.4 result please? eg ng/mL or nmol/L? I’m getting a blood test tomorrow but I know clinics use various different units for results.

[Hk12 in reply to Bluebellebunny]

Hi it’s nmol!

[Bluebellebunny in reply to Hk12]

Thank you!

[Bambii]

Hello! I'm due my transfer on Sunday and have also been prescribed progesterone pessaries 3 times a day 5 days prior to transfer on a natural FET. I have been advised to take them religiously every 8 hours on the same time everyday until 12 weeks of pregnancy. Quite annoying!

All the best to you! xx

[Facingreality in reply to Bambii]

Hello Bambii. I hope things worked out for you!

Was your natural progesterone low? Or it is standard protocol at your clinic to give progesterone supplements in natural cycle regardless?